Jazz

The Visual and Performing Arts Department of Michigan Tech University offers a diverse
variety of courses in the study of Jazz, including a music minor with a concentration in jazz idiom.

Jazz Lab Band

Register for: FA3430Audition Required

The award-winning Michigan Tech Jazz Lab Band, under the direction of Mike Irish, is made up of 20 musicians from throughout the country, and features a broad repertoire
of music ranging from the Big Band Era to today's contemporary sounds and original
compositions. The Jazz Lab Band is the more experienced of the two jazz bands and
performs concerts, as well as, at dances, jazz festivals, and tours. Jazz Lab Band
have even been to Jamaica.

The Jazz Lab Band is the top jazz ensemble at Michigan Tech, touring regionally every
January. Their busy schedule includes numerous concerts and club dates throughout
the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, guest artist concerts featuring performers such as
Clark Terry, Louis Bellson, Maynard Ferguson, Byron Stripling, Frank Mantooth, Frank
Wess, Wendell Harrison, Woddy Herman and the Young Thundering Herd, and the Stan Kenton
Orchestra, an annual one-week Midwest Tour, and featured performances at various conventions
such as the Midwestern Conference on School Music. The Jazz Lab Band has toured Jamaica
six times and been chosen as the Outstanding Large Ensemble at the Aquinas Intercollegiate
Big Band Festival, Grand Rapids, MI and the University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire Collegiate
Jazz Festival on numerous occasions. The students composing this ensemble come from
all majors.

FA 3430 - Jazz Lab Band

A select ensemble of approximately twenty instrumentalists studying jazz improvisation and performing literature for the jazz ensemble. Repertoire includes swing, jazz-rock, ballads, fusion, and experimental compositions. Activities include performances at festivals, concerts, and dances, and a spring-break tour. Course work includes topics in jazz history, music theory, and improvisation. Audition required.

Credits:
1.0;
May be repeated

Lec-Rec-Lab: (0-0-3)

Semesters Offered: Fall, Spring

Research and Development Jazz Band

Register for: FA2430No Audition Required

Affectionately known as the R&D Band, this ensemble's main focus is to provide students
with an opportunity to learn and develop the basic skills of jazz performance and
improvisation in a large ensemble environment. Admission into this ensemble is open
to all students, many of whom have played little or no jazz in the past. Others use
the R&D Band as an ensemble where they can keep their jazz skills sharp while waiting
to audition for an opening in the Jazz Lab Band. All styles of jazz, Latin-jazz, rock,
funk, and ballads are explored by the R&D Band in addition to healthy doses of jazz
improvisation. The band struts its stuff in campus concerts every semester, and, in
April of each year, does a concert tour of local public schools.

FA 2430 - Research and Development Jazz Band

The Research and Development Jazz Band is for instrumentalists wishing to learn the fundamentals of jazz improvisation and the nuances of the jazz idiom. Repertoire includes swing, jazz, rock, Latin, ballads, fusion, and other contemporary jazz styles. Public performances are given on campus and in the surrounding area. Audition required.

Credits:
1.0;
May be repeated

Lec-Rec-Lab: (0-0-3)

Semesters Offered: Fall, Spring

Jaztec Jazz Combo

Register for: FA4420Audition Required

JAZTEC is a dynamic 7-piece jazz combo that specializes in contemporary jazz, funk,
and original styles. The instrumentation of 3 horns, and rhythm section allows each
member ample opportunity to explore jazz improvisation and composition, and to develop
an individual style.

In addition to frequent campus concerts, this combo often performs in local clubs,
at jazz festivals, records CDs, and tours with the Jazz Lab Band each year. They have
been selected as the Outstanding Jazz Combo at the UW-Eau Claire Jazz Festival on
three occasions and twice at the Aquinas College Jazz Festival. JAZTEC's first CD,
"Watch Your Step," came out in 1998. Admission is by audition when openings occur.

Other combos include AstroSax and Salsa Norte.

FA 4420 - Music Performance: Jazz

Jazz combos (e.g., Jaztec, Salsa Norte) are select small groups of musicians studying jazz improvisation and performing literature for the small jazz ensemble. Focuses on developing individual improvisational techniques, personal style, and unique original arrangements. Repertoire includes swing, jazz-rock, ballads, fusion, and experimental techniques. Activities can include performances and tours.

Credits:
variable to 3.0;
Repeatable to a Max of 6

Semesters Offered: Fall, Spring

Restrictions:
Permission of instructor required

Momentum Jazz Combo

Register for: FA4420Audition Required

MOMENTUM is a dynamic blend of horns, vocal and rhythm section that regularly competes
in jazz festivals and has an active performance schedule.

In addition to frequent campus concerts, these combos often perform in local clubs,
at jazz festivals, records CD's, and tours with the Jazz Lab Band each year. They
have been selected as the Outstanding Jazz Combo at the UW-Eau Claire Jazz Festival
on three occasions and twice at the Aquinas College Jazz Festival. Admission is by
audition when openings occur.

FA 4420 - Music Performance: Jazz

Jazz combos (e.g., Jaztec, Salsa Norte) are select small groups of musicians studying jazz improvisation and performing literature for the small jazz ensemble. Focuses on developing individual improvisational techniques, personal style, and unique original arrangements. Repertoire includes swing, jazz-rock, ballads, fusion, and experimental techniques. Activities can include performances and tours.